§ 11. Mr. Hindasked the Secretary of State for Social Services by how many the waiting lists in the north-west region have been reduced since June 1979.
§ 12. Mr. Tim Smithasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he is taking to reduce hospital waiting lists.
§ Mr. MooreIn the north-west region between 31 March 1979 and 30 September 1986 waiting lists fell by over 16,000, or 21 per cent. The need to make significant improvements in waiting times is a high priority for the Health Service, supported by the £50 million waiting list fund. I am determined that this drive will continue.
§ Mr. HindCan my right hon. Friend say what effect the waiting list initiative announced by his predecessor will have on the north-west region?
§ Mr. MooreAt this stage the north-west regional allocation will be £2.3 million, which we expect to produce results that will look after an extra 11,240 in-patients and day cases and 7,280 extra out-patients. That is in the first instance.
§ Mr. Tim SmithDoes my right hon. Friend think that the waiting list fund constitutes a useful precedent for the official allocation of funds in the Health Service? If he does, will he ensure that it is extended to other areas, so that the most efficient use is made of taxpayers' money?
§ Mr. MooreI am answering a question only about the Health Service and the special fund. My hon. Friend is right. The National Health Service is to be commended for the way in which, in the first year, it has made more effective use of beds and theatres and has enabled 100,000 additional waiting list cases to be treated by the use of the fund. I expect it to do equally well in the second year of the fund with the second £25 million.